A DISABILITY charity marked a special occasion with an appeal at the Dragon School.

Leonard Cheshire Disability teamed up with the school in North Oxford on Friday to celebrate the 100th birthday of its founder.

Leonard Cheshire, a Second World War pilot and Victoria Cross winner, was a pupil at the Dragon School.

Throughout the year the charity will be hosting events, talks, lectures, programmes and sharing its history.

One such lecture will be held at Merton College on March 7.

As part of the Dragon School event last Friday chief executive Neil Heslop spoke to pupils about Mr Cheshire’s values, life and achievements.

He said: “It’s wonderful to launch our centenary celebrations at the place where Leonard Cheshire started his education and developed his values.

“He made life-long friends here and returned many times to inspire Dragon children all his life.

“We welcome the opportunity to share our knowledge about disability and to teach the next generation of Dragons about Leonard Cheshire and his achievements.”

He invited youngsters to take part in a nationwide competition to write a 300-word essay about anyone they know who has a disability or who helps disabled people.

Dragon School deputy headteacher Ed Phelps said: “We were delighted to welcome Leonard Cheshire Disability back to the School.

“Leonard Cheshire, who left the School in 1931, epitomised the values of the Dragon.

“Those values of courage, kindness and respect still form the foundation of the School’s ethos today.”

Other Leonard Cheshire Disability events this year include a social media campaign to raise awareness of the work of the charity and celebrations around the world with global partners of the charity.

For more information visit leonardcheshire.org/about-us/2017-centenary-leonard-cheshires-birth